Pretty straight forward,when the number is printed on the silver label some of the black paint is absorbed into the label. The number is only a different shade of silver on the label and the ultraviolet light shows the difference between the two shades and you can make out the number in the dark. You need to record it somewhere else for future reference. I would not try rewriting the number on the label as you may lose the ability to see the difference with the light. As you know, with the MTD site, the number is the holy grail for finding info on obscure ride ons.